Earlier this year I attended a workshop for pastors and chaplains at the Charles Snyder Funeral Home with Dr. William Hoy, retired Clinical Professor of Medical Humanities at Baylor University and an ordained minister, as the speaker. The title of Dr. Hoy’s presentation was “Welding Faith to Funerals: Building Bridges in a Changing World”.
Dr. Hoy talked about how the funeral or memorial service helps us to make meaning of the loss. Yes, we honor the life during these services, but we also view the loss through our theological lens.

One of the discussion topics I’ve had with the grief group is the need for rituals in the midst of a loss. The funeral or memorial service is a ritual that helps the bereaved face the loss. It can also help us face our own mortality. This is why I encourage people every year to complete the funeral preparation sheet that is included in this newsletter. Since the Lenten season is a time for us to face our mortality, I think this is the appropriate time for us to consider our funeral or memorial service.
If you have not already completed this form, I encourage you to take some time to think about your funeral or memorial service. I would suggest you to talk with your loved ones about this form. Let them know about your decisions. If you want to meet with me, don’t hesitate to contact me. You have the opportunity to help us honor your life, but also lift up the promises of God as reflected in the scriptures and hymns you choose for your service.

For those who have already completed this form, I encourage you to review it during the Lenten season. This is a time to see if you want to make any changes. Again, I encourage you to share those changes with your family and with me. All completed forms will be stored in the church office so that they are available when needed.
In closing, I share this prayer that you can use as you view your mortality through the lens of your Christian faith:

 

 

 

 

 

EOV